The Case for a Broader Housing Spectrum in Fayette County

Last year both the Fayette Chamber and the City of Fayetteville’s Economic Development Department adopted new strategic plans. Just this past month, the Fayette County Development Authority announced its new economic development strategy. Three different organizations with parallel but different focuses all reached some remarkably similar conclusions as it pertains to the future economic success of Fayette County. A common theme is that we are at a crossroads when it comes to housing attainability. 

Our community is known for its exceptional schools, quality of life, and a deeply rooted sense of place. These strengths have not happened by accident. They are the result of intentional planning, civic engagement, and a straightforward vision for what kind of community we want to be. Yet one of the most pressing issues threatening that vision today is housing attainability. If we are to keep a vibrant, competitive, and economically resilient county, we must broaden our spectrum of housing options.

For many years, Fayette County’s housing market has been defined by singlefamily homes on large lots. While this has contributed to our appeal, it has also created challenges. Limited housing diversity makes it increasingly difficult for firsttime homebuyers, young professionals, public-sector workers, and even seniors to find attainable options. As prices rise and choices narrow, our current and future workforce face barriers to living in the community they serve.

The link between housing and workforce development is direct. Employers across Fayette County routinely report difficulty hiring and retaining workers, not because of lack of interest, but because prospective employees cannot afford to live nearby. When teachers, healthcare workers, police officers, hospitality staff, and early-career professionals must commute long distances, local businesses lose out on talent and economic activity. A full spectrum of housing—ranging from townhomes and cottages to attainable singlefamily homes and welldesigned multifamily communities—helps ensure our employers have access to the workforce they need to grow.

Housing diversity is also essential for talent attraction. We regularly talk about the county’s aging demographics. If we are to encourage the residency of younger professionals, we must offer modern, walkable, mixed-use environments and housing options that match earlycareer budgets. To compete with neighboring communities and remain relevant in the regional labor market, we must ensure our housing offerings align with the preferences of the next generation. Otherwise, those talented young workers will simply choose to live and spend their income in places that do.

Expanding our housing spectrum is not only a workforce issue; it is a transportation issue as well. When employees must travel from Coweta, Clayton, Henry, or Spalding just to get to work in Fayette County, traffic congestion increases, commute times lengthen, and strain on local road infrastructure grows. Allowing more residents to live closer to where they work reduces pressure on our transportation network and supports a more sustainable future.

Advocating for a broader mix of housing is not about compromising on quality or character. Thoughtfully planned communities have appropriate design standards, architectural guidelines, and green space integration which ultimately deliver attainable housing without sacrificing the attributes residents value. Diverse housing options strengthen a community, not diminish it.

Business reasons aside, our housing conundrum also impacts families. Fayette County is a place that thrives on family and community. Countless parents desire for their recent college graduate or newly married child to return to Fayette to grow their careers and start their young families. Unfortunately, this is a hope and wish as these individuals end up living well over an hour away and with it comes the delayed gratification of being an involved grandparent.  

Fayette County can honor its past while preparing for its future today. By embracing a wider spectrum of housing, we support our workforce, attract new talent, reduce strain on our roads, and ensure that our community remains vibrant and economically competitive for decades to come. This is not simply a housing issue; it is a community vitality issue. And addressing it is not just important; it is essential.